Turtle taxi service seeks Quebec volunteers to transport injured reptiles to rehab

Taxi Carapace: Saving Quebec’s Turtles, One Ride at a Time

Established in 2024, Taxi Carapace is a unique transportation service dedicated to helping injured turtles in Quebec. Operated by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, this initiative aims to increase the survival rates of injured turtles by providing safe and efficient transportation to a specialized rehabilitation center in Laval.

The need for such a service is urgent, as all eight species of native freshwater turtles in Quebec are classified as either endangered or vulnerable. Habitat destruction, degradation, and illegal activities like poaching pose significant threats to these already fragile populations.

According to Francisco Retamal-Diaz, a project manager with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, road mortality is one of the most significant threats to turtle populations. Turtles, known for their site fidelity behavior, often return to the same nesting and hibernation sites year after year. As a result, they must navigate roads and highways, putting them at risk of being hit by vehicles.

The slow reproductive rate of turtles makes them particularly vulnerable to road accidents. It can take turtles anywhere from 10 to 20 years to reach reproductive maturity, and the loss of even a single adult turtle can set back the population for decades.

To address this issue, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is actively seeking volunteer drivers for Taxi Carapace. The platform, available at carapace.ca, aims to document road mortality and facilitate the safe transportation of injured turtles to rehabilitation centers. Volunteers play a crucial role in reporting turtle sightings, assisting turtles across roads, and transporting distressed turtles to the rehabilitation facility in Laval.

The impact of this initiative is already evident, with over 50 volunteers covering more than 3,600 kilometers to date. The rehabilitation center provides specialized care for injured turtles, including physiotherapy to help them build up their strength before being released back into the wild.

In 2024 alone, 93 turtles were released back into their natural habitats, with 32 of them being released by volunteers. Despite the effort involved in saving these small reptiles, Retamal-Diaz emphasizes the crucial role turtles play in maintaining ecosystem health. Turtles act as “janitors” in wetlands, consuming algae, fish, snails, and other organisms that contribute to ecosystem balance.

By becoming a volunteer turtle taxi driver, you can make a real difference in conserving Quebec’s turtle populations. Visit the Carapace website for more information on how you can get involved and help protect these vital creatures.